The nurse is initiating continuous bladder irrigation on a patient that just underwent a prostatectomy. The nurse understands that the flow rate is adequate if:

Explanation

• The goal of continuous irrigation is to prevent blood clots. The flow needs to prevent blood and drainage from forming a clot, that is why the urine should be kept light pink or yellow. The infusion rate should be adjusted to maintain this urine color.

• No urine output would indicate an obstruction, likely from a clot.

• If the urinary drainage is as clear as water, the infusion should be slowed.

Output should always equal input during continuous bladder irrigation, but this would not necessarily indicate an adequate flow rate.

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